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The only metallic, robotic bone to be picked with "Westworld" stars Evan Rachel Wood and Thandie Newton's Golden Globe nominations is that both stellar performers didn't make the best actress in a drama category.

Woods and Newton's chilling portrayals of newly sentient A.I. creations struggling to break free of their prison – a western-themed amusement park for the rich and sadistic – proved equally vital to the HBO series, fresh off its first season finale.

Then again, the best actress nomination for Wood and the supporting actress nod for Newton boost the possibility of kudos for the show when the Globes are handed out Jan. 8 on NBC.

The critics behind the Globes apparently didn't see "Westworld," a best drama nominee, as a man's world: They snubbed outstanding performances by Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris, Jimmi Simpson and James Marsden.

The Golden Globe nominations announced Monday reflect a happy challenge permeating the current golden age of television: not enough awards to go around.

It's particularly tough to reward all deserving parties in a year brimming with high quality ensemble dramas. Cuba Gooding, Jr., and David Schwimmer didn't make the cut for “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” So they're left to root for co-stars Sarah Paulson, John Travolta, Sterling K. Brown and Courtney B. Vance, whose embodiment of Johnnie Cochran may be the year's best acting performance in any medium.

There's little argument to be made against any of the TV nominees for an awards competition that's looked upon largely as a bellwether of the Oscars, yet may get as much attention this year for its small screen picks. The notice extends to worthy shows that didn’t get tapped – among them "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," “House of Cards” and “Empire.”

Fans of "Westworld" know that (spoiler alert) this may be the last Globes shot for some of its top actors – most prominently Hopkins, who played the cool and cruel puppet master behind the futuristic amusement park. The greater shame might be the missed opportunity to recognize Wright’s brilliant, subtle turn as a Westworld fixture split between identities.

There's little doubt Golden Globe nominators found themselves torn in a year when too many compelling choices led to difficult and potentially controversial decisions. Yet one byproduct of snubs is buzz as the Globes invite the kind of fan focus that greeted every vexing step of "Westworld" to it stunning season conclusion.